Sovereigns Oath

Thinking about the possible destiny I might have to face hit me differently. Although I had prepared myself to meet whatever awaited me on the other end of the rope, the revelation that I might be a part of the Seven Voices was heart-wrenching.

Determined to pursue the answers to these lingering questions, each new piece of knowledge I acquired about the world only expanded the bucket of unanswered questions further.

As I pondered over this self-realization that struck me, a young girl sat down on a large, unevenly cut log nearby. Adjusting her skirt, she spoke in an emotionless voice, "I was just a young girl who dreamt of becoming a wonderful lady. I looked forward to the possibilities that could have come with my potential. People constantly reminded me of how I could become famous and marry someone wealthy."

"Marie, you look wonderful, you look so beautiful, you are so diligent. Expectations piled up upon me, and I enjoyed it. After all, who wouldn't want people depending on them?" She made gestures with her hands as she continued her story.

"I learned how to adapt to my environment, acquiring knowledge of manners and etiquette, hoping that I could live up to the expectations of those who were looking forward to me." This time, a touch of sadness was buried in her voice.

"Until I made a mistake. Just one small, insignificant mistake, but they never treated me the same way again." Her voice carried a hint of anger and disappointment as she uttered those words.

She gently raised her seemingly small, soft, porcelain-skinned hand. Opening her palms, threads began to form shapes of dresses, children, and houses, dancing on top of her sorrowful palms.

"I was seen as different, treated like an outcast." She clenched her fists, destroying the threads within. "I felt hurt. All of it was gone, dreams and hope lost in the wind."

"One day, a strange man who identified himself as a merchant took a stroll around the village where I lived, near the capital of the Kingdom. He advertised a strange vial that could potentially increase strength and elevate one's status. And it did." Her voice perked up slightly. "For a while, until those who consumed it started experiencing pain and body issues. Then, one day, the village was ravaged by those who had turned into monsters with giant claws and unparalleled strength."

"That day, I ran and never looked back." A pained smile appeared on her face, deadpan eyes blossoming from her delicate features. "Someone took me in and taught me how to control these threads and sharp claws that I can somehow extend and retract at will, which can be used for medium-range attacks using wind pressure. They also taught me a few 'parlor' tricks, as your twig said." She said it with sarcasm, trying to lighten the mood.

"But soon, something happened, and I had to run away from their house. I was desperate when I heard your whispers reaching my ears. I wondered if I was just being delusional, but as soon as I realized something felt off, I transformed myself into that old lady and got teleported to this abode of yours." She paused for a moment and quickly glanced at me.

Looking away, she removed her hand from her chin and continued speaking.

"And now, here I am, standing with the Sovereign I asked to be with and your Twiggy Dominion. By the way, I know your name because I heard it from the person who helped me." She gave a scoffing attitude as she bowed her head towards Styx.

I remained silent throughout her storytelling.

"For your information, 'witchmotional' girl, I am not under him or anyone else. I just have the responsibility to handle... his affairs and offer him protection," Styx said in a distorted but clear enough voice.

"Oh? That is interesting. It makes sense that he seems unknowledgeable about this subject, especially since he has quite the affinity and prowess for it." Marie sounded interested as she scooched over, rolling her log underneath her. Rough sounds could be heard with every roll the log made.

Feeling pressured by their sudden questions, I found the pain from the battle aftermath easier and more bearable than the thoughts that now consumed me.

"Nothing much, really. I was just taught about my Uncle, with whom I don't have a particularly deep relationship. He doesn't provide me with information about sovereigns or anything related to them, every time I try to talk about them he replies in a short but forceful manner shifting it to magic or swordsmanship...." I realized something as I furrowed my eyebrows, feeling tense at the thought.

"Enzo?" Marie tried to call me, but her voice was drowned in my sea of thoughts.

I was isolated, kept away from the world, and never truly taught anything substantial over the years. I was only introduced to the concept and given entry-level information. Much knowledge was withheld, not enough to satisfy my curiosity.

I was always encouraged by my uncle to become a mage or a swordsman, someone who could bring victory on the battlefield. I learned many things about the basics, but it never went beyond that. I don't recall a single offensive spell—only traps and basic combat techniques.

Realizing this, I delved deeper into my thoughts. Sovereigns, Whisperer, Seven Voices, Stele, Sentinels, Everthorn.

Then it hit me—what if my presence held significant value in this world? What would happen if I became a Sovereign? Would things change? Does something happen if I do?

Whatever it may be, there is much more to discover, and important information has been kept hidden from me, preventing me from learning something new that could fuel my desire to study further.

I realized something and gave a quick glance behind me. I saw it. Styx stared at me with a sense of fascination and interest. His revolting and fearful appearance added to the sense of intimidation that he radiates. It didn't help that we were situated in some unknown place filled with trees and rocks.

"Enzouo" I see in his eyes the look of excitement and exhilaration as he said my name. "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that we used to create them. Fear the unknown, but never let the unknown decide what you fear." Styx said in a hoarse voice.

I felt myself blazing in motivation and passion. If something bigger than what I initially thought would be out there I want to know.

"I want to see for myself what is waiting for me on the other side of this mess." Heaving a deep sigh, I looked at Marie. "The contract, let's do it." I declared with a strong voice.

As soon as I said it Marie jolted up with her brightened mood. She seemed happy about doing this contract, but I still didn't fully understand why she would want to do a contract with me. However, for the time being, I have to become stronger, and a contract with her would add significant firepower.

I want to find my parents and ask them what I want to ask but detours have to be taken. I realized through this fight and seeing the battle that caused chaos, I needed to become much stronger than I am right now.

Marie was quite excited about having a contract with someone who doesn't deeply understand Sovereigns and contracts. She was quite giddy about this and realized that she probably didn't have as much of a childhood as I did either.

Hearing footsteps behind me, I glanced and saw Styx going up to one of the destroyed trees and sitting down with his joints creaking as he did.

"So, to start off, do you even know how to make a contract?" Styx eyed us with a question, his face empty of expression.

"To be honest, I heard about the Sovereign's Oath or simply the contract, but I heard it was a delicate process that needs to be adhered to by others." I shifted my head to the right as I tried to recall the process.

"It's fine, it's fine," Marie complacently said. "It is only watched by others in case the contract wouldn't be successful and the wild animal would either try to kill the people around or the aspiring Sovereign itself, and to be frank. I am no wild animal, and I consent to this Oath." She happily smiled, exuding confidence.

"Tsk, I would be more careful with you than with a wild animal, in all honesty," Styx ridiculed her as she spoke.

Ignoring the fact that Styx ridiculed her, Marie turned and went towards me, gleefully skipping. Her short skirt smoothly followed her cute gestures. Her hand fell heavily on my shoulder as she placed it in a fast and strong motion.

I know I shouldn't let my guard down, however, I feel no hostility coming from her, and I think it would be interesting to at least try becoming a Sovereign if ever I do manage to be one.

"So how do we perform the contract? My uncle taught me a lot of things about magic and Sovereigns, but only at the fundamental and elementary grade level. It was mostly about the history of the Quincentenary, the culture of other kingdoms, and etiquette," I said to her with a straight face.

"...." She stayed silent.

"Marie?.." I asked, concerned that there may be a problem.

She shifted her gaze and tilted her head, which was more than a few inches taller than me. She seemed despondent about the situation, as if something had taken away her desire to have a contract and left her as an empty shell.

"I...I do not know the procedures of an Oath..." she muttered in a small voice, devoid of life.

"...." "...."

My mouth drooped at this sudden information she dropped. I had expected that she would at least know, considering how enthusiastic she was about it. I slowly changed my view toward Styx, who was grinning at this scene.

"I know how, but I am not confident that this Oath will proceed smoothly," he said with a smirk that showed on the mask.